Enjoyment & Safety Above All

Trevian Code of Conduct, Rules and Policies

Code of Conduct

The enjoyment by all those playing and attending a TGSA softball game is one of the expressed goals of our organization.

TGSA Coaches, players and parents are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner, being courteous and respectful to coaches and players, game officials, parents and spectators at all times.

Enthusiastic support of your team or favorite player is an expected and welcome part of our games. However, this enthusiasm cannot be allowed to become counter productive.

Inappropriate behavior observed by TGSA officials may also result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the viewing area. Violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the TGSA Board of Directors.

Inappropriate & Disruptive Behavior

The following is a limited and non-inclusive list of potentially inappropriate or disruptive behavior and all TGSA members agree that they:

Will not use obscene or vulgar language to anyone at any time at the park before, after, or during the game.

Will not taunt players, coaches, umpires, or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or actual physical violence.

Will not throw any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, and playing field, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

If a TGSA player, parent or Coach sees a person violating this Code of Conduct:

If possible, she or he should tell that person to stop that behavior immediately.

If she or he cannot resolve the situation immediately, he or she should refer the problem to the Coach, the Team Manager, a parent, or a TGSA Board member.

Parents are responsible for the behavior of the other members of their family and of any guests they may invite to a game.

Disciplinary Actions

Umpires of the league in which the TGSA participates have been instructed to stop any game when parents/spectators are displaying, in that officials opinion, inappropriate and disruptive behavior that interferes with other spectators or the conduct of the game. The umpires will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced.

Any parents/spectators who must be removed from the playing area will not be allowed to attend a TGSA game for a period of two weeks from the date of the removal.

Any parent/spectator who must be removed from the field a second time will be suspended from attending any further TGSA games. The matter will be reviewed by the TGSA Board, which will establish final sanctions.

Failure to comply with the above sanctions will result in the player not being allowed to participate while that parent/spectator is at the field.

Playing Time

Parents and players should realize that playing time is affected by a number of “moving parts,” including time limits on game length, varying lengths of individual innings, the competitive dynamics of each game and each opposing team, the size of the roster, different tournament rules for player substitution, and sometimes even player health and injury. Furthermore, an absent player is not automatically accorded extra playing time when she returns, just because other players had more playing time when she was gone.

Coaches’ Commitment

The top priority of all Trevian Coaches is to foster the safety, confidence and self-esteem of their players.

Coaches must treat players with respect and in a positive and encouraging manner.

Coaches must abide by and reinforce safety rules including the TGSA Travel Policy.

Coaches must attend Trevian Coaches’ clinics and read the ASA Playing Rules at the start of each season.

Head Coaches’ Responsibilities

To develop his or her Assistant Coaches and hold them to the same standards of developing coaching skills and encouragement to players.

To ensure timely and accurate communications, including providing written schedules and travel directions.

To provide team members with a written Team Policy – including attendance and standards of conduct for tournament travel with appropriate penalties for rules violations – and apply the team policy consistently.

Players’ Commitment

As a team sport, softball requires commitment from all players. When any player misses a game or practice, it negatively affects every other player on the team, not only the missing player.

Trevian players must commit to attend all practices and games, except for excused absences and unforeseen emergencies. Tardiness or unexcused absences may be cause for suspension or removal from the team.

Players should notify the Head Coach or Team Manager as soon as possible of any anticipated absences.

Team Policy

Be on the field, on time and ready to play for all games and practices

Hustle and put forth your best efforts on the field at all times

Support your teammates and encourage them in their efforts at all times

Complete any homework, such as reading, conditioning or skill work

Conduct yourself in an appropriate, sportsmanlike manner at all times

Follow all safety rules, including the TGSA Travel Policy

Parents’ Commitment

Parental support is the foundation of the Trevian program. Parents established the TGSA and serve as its Coaches, board members, officers and financial supporters, as well as its most loyal fans.

Trevian parents must reinforce the importance of the commitments their daughters make. This is crucial to rounding out the overall learning process for our players – without it, players may get “mixed signals” about the overall importance of commitment and responsibility.

Parents must agree to abide by the TGSA Travel Policy.

Parents are asked to provide on-going encouragement not just to their daughters but to the entire team.

Travel & Safety Policies

Players’ safety is our number one priority.

TGSA parents and players are required to sign the TGSA Waiver and Release prior to a player’s activity in the TGSA program. The release portion of this form authorizes emergency medical treatment for a player if a parent is not on hand, and it states that players and their parents assume liability for not following TGSA-required safety and other practices.

Players’ Safety

It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the Head Coach in writing before the season, or as soon as practicable, of any medical condition or physical limitation which could impair their daughter’s ability to perform softball activities safely.

Coaches will help familiarize players with safety procedures.

Parents and players should, in particular, be aware of and follow these important safety practices:

The ASA (American Softball Association) requires that any player who is warming up a pitcher shall wear a catcher’s mask.

NSFPL (National Softball Fast Pitch League Rules) state that on-deck batters, while the batter is in the batter’s box, must stand behind the batter, i.e., on the third base side when a right-handed batter is at the plate, and vice versa.

Base runners involved in games and in base-running drills during practice shall wear helmets at all times.

TGSA strongly encourages the use of mouth guards.

TGSA players must wear facemasks when they are pitching in games. In addition, pitchers must wear facemasks when pitching to batters in practice, when fielding as the pitcher during coach-assisted pitching, as well as when participating as pitchers during fielding practice.

Travel Policy

Anyone driving must have a valid drivers license and drive in accordance with the law.

There shall be enough seat belts for the driver and every passenger. Every person traveling with the team must wear seat belts.

If there are not enough seat belts, the team does not travel.

Drivers shall refrain from any consumption of alcohol.

Teams may develop their own supplemental rules to support this policy.

Overnight Safety

Players shall not leave open or unlocked a door to a hotel room while a teammate is alone in that room.

Players shall not walk unescorted, without a coach or parent or another player if over 18 years of age, from the hotel premises to or from another location.

No player shall roam the hallways of hotels without a buddy or parent accompanying her.

Coaches will verify that players are in their rooms and their doors locked each night if not accompanied by a parent.

Teams may develop their own supplemental rules to support this policy.